Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Our thoughts on...

Well last night we stayed up for the E3 offerings, and my God was it worth it.

Since we started Collecting Asylum, I'd have to say that this has been the best E3, in terms of content, that we've had. Yes, we've witnessed the console announcements for the Xbox One and PS4, and yes - with that a whole new slew of games for what was to be our "next gen", but nothing quite prepared us for what we've seen so far this E3.

So here are our thoughts so far!

Bethesda

So Bethesda opened the conference with Doom (I totally called that one!), and it looks amazing. Graphics are so good, multiplayer looks fantastic (actually reminiscent of Halo's MP). Enemies looked just as badass and intimidating as they always did. And then Doom Snapmap was revealed. A level editor which allows players to create and share their own multiplayer levels. Great idea, and it looks seriously awesome. Really liked how the ammo drops look after you kill an enemy, very arcade-like. Weapons are diverse, and deadly. Doom will be receiving a Spring 2016 release.

For the past year, Betheda explained that they've been working on how to expand on ways to let their communities contribute to games, and use their creative potential, with things like Snapmap, thus Bethesda.net was born - a way for communities to create and share content, take part in forums and gain access to games and new features, etc. Something which we here in the Asylum are really looking forward to.

They then went on to show Battlecry. Cool looking game with an interesting art style. Reminiscint of Team Fortress. Will be receiving a beta, to which if you sign up before June 19th, you will get guaranteed beta access plus an exclusive in-game item. Sign up here, now!

Arkane
Studios comes up in a puff of smoke on screen. DISHONORED II. (Allan called this one). “It’s happened again. Someone’s pulled the rug out from under you” are
the opening words to Dishonored 2’s trailer. Play as either Corvo, or Emily Kaldwin. Just like the first game, it's all about choice, and how you choose to progress in the game. Kill everyone you see, or play the entire game without killing anyone. “It’s always good to see a familiar face” end scene of the trailer. Both of us are really excited about this one, moreso Allan - although he does point out that he will need to play the rest of the first one beforehand. Then, they went on to reveal that Dishonored Definitive Edition, for Xbox One and PS4 will be released this fall. No release schedule announced for Dishonored II, but makes sense that it will be a little later than the Definitive Edition, to allow people a chance to get up to speed with the story before the release of II. Another announcement we're very pleased with here in the Asylum.

Tamriel Unlimited shown again, since it launched for consoles just over a week ago. New content, new trailer etc. shown. Nothing that really captures us as we've yet to get the game, and even though we want it, we just know that it would end up being one of those games that we want to play, but instead just stays on our shelves for yeaaars due to the limitless possibility within the game. *sigh* Maybe one day...

And last but certainly not least, Fallout 4.

Crowd goes wild.

Fallout 4 looks spectacular. Stunning visuals, brilliant looking gameplay, interesting design... and oh my word. That CE. The Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition was shown (and has since sold out at multiple retailers, so I suggest preordering NOW if you intend to get it), and boy does it look good. A wearable Pip-Boy replica (that you can actually insert your smartphone into, with a free downloadable app to make it function like an in-game one, with your actual in-game items, stats, etc), with a display stand, a cool looking box for it, as well as a perk poster, a Pip-Boy pocket guide and a "collectible metal case" Who knows if that will end up being a Steelbook or a Metalpak or God knows what else.

Preordered this badboy INSTANTLY.

Also, if you preorder the Pip-Boy Edition from GAME UK, links can be found here for each format, then you get to join the "Vault Club", and if you are/were within the first 10,000 preorders, you will also receive an exclusive Vault 111 t-shirt. More details below!

Available if preordering through GAME UK.

And of course, the game itself. It looks immensely awesome. Still in the style of the older Fallout games, but with amazing new features added in, such as building your own houses, settlements, small villages, etc. and the ability to get your dog to retrieve items for you, as well as assist you in combat. The power armour looks fantastic, and I'm interested to see how the game plays out as a whole. Preordered the Pip-Boy Edition the second I saw it go live on Amazon.com (and then on GAME UK), and so excited for how little time we'll have to wait for it to be released.

Fallout Shelter was also revealed, a game exclusive to IOS, which has now totally swayed Allan's decision for his next phone (as he is due an upgrade next month anyway), and I am oh so gutted that it's not going to be on Android too, as I've only just gotten my Samsung Galaxy S5!

Also, not sure if any of you noticed, but yeah, I win on my bet of Fallout being kept till the end of the conference, aaand I was closest to the release date (my guess was the 20th, and it's going to be revealed on the 10th November 2015).

Overall, we were VERY pleased with Bethesda's E3 offerings. How about you? What were your favourite bits of Bethesda's first ever E3 conference? Let us know in the comments below!

Oh, and if anyone has any spares of the Bethesda Funko Pop Minis that they were giving out at the conference, and would like to donate a pack to us, then by all means get in touch ;)